VISITORS to Colchester could end up in A&E or leave thinking it is an “ugly city” unless dangerous pavements are repaired, a campaigning councillor has warned.

Lee Scordis, Essex councillor for the Abbey division, is calling on Essex Highways to urgently fix any footpaths and pavements in Colchester which are damaged.

He wants the works carried out before November 23, when the area will officially be proclaimed a city, which it is hoped will attract an increase in visitors.

Without this Mr Scordis fears any tourists who decide to make the trip to Colchester may not return after seeing the condition of the pavements in the city centre.

"Becoming a city will inevitably create a huge buzz around Colchester, but when people come to Colchester we want them to come back for more,” he said.

“If people come for the castle, we want them to know we also have the zoo, Dedham Vale, Wivenhoe and Rowhedge, and the only intact Roman Circus in the UK.

“However, the state of our pavements is frankly disgraceful and a safety risk - repairs leave ugly tarmac, while broken paving slabs sticking up are a serious trip hazard. 

“What we don't want is for the feedback from tourists to be they spent most of their time in A&E after falling over or them to tell people that Colchester is an ugly city.”

Mr Scordis has now moved to put pressure on Essex Highways bosses to address the situation as a matter of urgency.

He added: “It is within Essex County Council's economic interests Colchester performs well as a city.

“Local people should not have had to put up with the severe neglect of the town centre for the last decade.

“But it is now imperative for the future of Colchester that repairs are made before November 23.”

Essex Highways bosses have now responded to Mr Scordis' concerns.

A spokesman said: “We are pleased the historic town of Colchester has been awarded city status.

"However, this does not change the prioritisation of our maintenance strategy, which is set for the whole of the Essex County Council area.

“In order to maximise our resources, we have to prioritise our work and fix higher-risk issues first.

"All defects reported to us are assessed by an inspector and prioritised accordingly.”